Nope, you're reading into it. I didn't imply that. I don't think that. Fair enough?
However, I do think that in this thread and all the hell over, many atheists go out of their way to insult, deride, and attempt to stifle my overt religious observance. I've had it happen to the point that if I were the suing type I could definitely have charged harassment. That isn't okay, just because you think your opinion is superior.

I try to be a nice guy and not push anything in anyone's face. But I'm not at all ashamed to identify as a Christian or observe my religion as I see fit, and I don't need to hear your shit about it.

I literally stepped out to help at an accident one time, helped a bleeding guy out of a car, etc. and as the ambulance sped off a few minutes later I signed the cross to myself as I walked back to my car and had another observer see me and start harassing me for it. Some people (atheists included) have no motherfucking class.

at least you helped... i witnessed an old lady fall and crack her head open, and this dumb christian lady who was next to the woman wouldnt help, she only prayed.

i was there, took my shirt off and used it to stop the bleeding, put her in the recovery position, and kept talking to her, kept her warm... and this dumb bitch just stood behind me praying.

then when the emt's get there, they worked on this old lady for a good while, took her away and saved her life.

then that dumb christian bitch comes to me telling me god answered her prayers for help, and thanked god for saving her life.... acting like she actually played a role in helping that old woman.

dont thank god, thank the shirtless guy covered in blood and the emt's who worked non stop until she was stable....

i know what youre saying. my fellow non-believers irritate me as much as anyone in the wr.

but i will say, a condescending tone is one that members of BOTH sides of this issue often take. there are dickheads on both sides, which im sure youd agree with.

and sometimes its not even about being a dickhead. believers often put me in situations that i feel are unfair to me (like the school faculty meeting prayer i mentioned). which is my biggest gripe. which is why i get irritated when they play the victim card constantly. believers run the show in the US. so then we speak out against things like that, and are treated like we're trying to remove religious freedoms. it creates a lot of resentment for some non believers.

i understand, and see, what youre saying too.

I definitely agree with you. In fact, I'd probably argue that the religious folks, whose opinion has dominated the debate for a very long time, probably started it. But *I* didn't start it, and that's why I get irritated when people start fucking with me over my faith. I have literally never tried to convince one single person to be a Christian. My best friend and WIFE are somewhere in the agnostic/atheist range. Yes, I take my kids to church, but as they get old enough to question, I have no problem whatsoever teaching them that not all people believe the same about God.

I just get sick to death of the drama over it. If you believe in God, good for you. If you don't, good for you. I hope whatever you think helps you sleep at night.

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Being a dickhead and being tough are only the same thing on the internet.

Fair enough. Also, even though I think its a dick thing to do and would actually speak out against it, people have the right to say what they want about your religion, especially in public. Religious freedom doesn't entail the right not to be offended, though we'd all be better off if we didn't go out of our way to insult others on such matters.

Unless of course this went beyond words and spilled over to physical violence.

You're correct. That right goes both ways. I have the right to be an annoying Christian (although I hope I'm not) and you have the right to be an annoying atheist (although I hope you're not).

See? Not so hard, guys. These guys get it. We need to cultivate a bit more "I won't fuck with you, you don't fuck with me" attitude.

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Being a dickhead and being tough are only the same thing on the internet.